Ashleigh Barrowman is part of a new generation of winemakers, unbound by mass commercialization that often pervades the Marlborough wine scene and whose passion for crafting honest wines is matched only by her dedication to sustainable farming practices.

At the heart of her operation lies the Wrekin vineyard, nestled in the picturesque landscapes of Marlborough, New Zealand. Here, amidst rolling hills, Barrowman tends to vines with a profound respect for the land and a commitment to organic and biodynamic principles.

From sunrise to sunset, Barrowman can be found laboring in the vineyard, where she believes true wine is made. For her, winegrowing is not just a profession but a way of life, deeply intertwined with the rhythms of nature. Working full-time in the vineyard, she embraces the challenges and rewards that come with nurturing grapes through each stage of growth.

At the Wrekin vineyard, Barrowman adheres strictly to organic certification and practices biodynamic agriculture, viewing the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem. The soils are a mixture of gravel, loam, and clay, providing excellent drainage while retaining moisture essential for vine health through selected cover crops. These soils contribute to the minerality and structure found in the wines produced from the vineyard.

The climate here is characterized by long, sunny days and cool nights, creating optimal conditions for grape ripening and flavor development. Wrekin Vineyard benefits from this favorable climate, with warm, dry summers and crisp, cool winters that help to preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes. Additionally, the region's proximity to the ocean moderates temperatures, mitigating the risk of extreme heat or frost damage during the growing season.

What sets Barrowman's wines apart is not just her commitment to organic farming but also her unwavering dedication to crafting wines that are a true expression of terroir. She exclusively works with certified organic vines from the land she farms, ensuring that every grape that goes into her wines is cultivated in harmony with nature. Moreover, Barrowman takes a hands-off approach to winemaking, allowing the grapes to undergo wild fermentation, unfettered by the intervention of commercial yeasts.

In keeping with her minimalist philosophy, Barrowman opts to leave her wines unfined and unfiltered, allowing them to retain their organic flavors and aromas. This gentle approach to winemaking preserves the integrity of the fruit, resulting in wines that are vibrant, nuanced, and reflective of their origin. Barrowman embraces a certain degree of unpredictability, allowing each vintage to unfold naturally, free from the constraints of extreme intervention and manipulation.

When it comes to the addition of sulphites, Barrowman takes a judicious approach, adding minimal amounts when required to ensure stability and longevity without compromising the purity of the wine. Her goal is not to mask or manipulate the inherent character of the grapes but rather to shepherd them through the winemaking process with a delicate touch, preserving their natural essence from vineyard to glass.

For Barrowman, winemaking is a labor of love, a journey that begins in the vineyard and culminates in the bottle. Through her unwavering commitment to organic and biodynamic practices, she seeks to honor the land that sustains her, producing wines that capture the essence of Marlborough's terroir with integrity and grace.